Any idea what this could be?

[kevinb36]

If that is indeed the case, then get thee to an allergist promptly, preferably one who specializes in food allergies.

I Joe you get some relief, and some answers.

Do you have any symptoms besides the rash?  GI, wheezing, etc.?

No, nothing else. I did have nausea and bloating about 48 hours before I noticed the rash, though. A common symptom of an ingested allergy is stomach cramps, so perhaps that was the start of it. I have to admit that the photos of 'urticaria', to give it it's proper name, do look very much the same as I have. So I'm going to take these anti-histamines every 4 hours over the weekend and see what happens. I hope it really is that simple.

[rebekahc]

I'm glad you were able to be seen again quickly.  As to "hoping it really is that simple"... managing food allergies can be challenging and there is no one and done fix.  If it's an ingestion reaction it's important to figure out what's causing it and avoid the allergen.  Food allergies can be dangerous and reactions aren't predictable.  It's important for you to get a proper diagnosis and a treatment plan from an allergist. 

Normally, an ingestion reaction will start within minutes of eating, but can take up to 4 hours to manifest.  The symptoms can linger for a few days afterward.  Do you have any idea what you had to eat and drink in the hours leading up to your hives?

There are also hives which can be caused in response to a virus.  Is it possible you were slightly ill (the nausea and bloating) from a virus and this is the result?  That would be simple.  Uncomfortable until they go away, but simple in that you don't have to actively do anything to prevent it (or worse) from happening again.

[kevinb36]

I really can't. I'm not very adventurous when it comes to food and I haven't tried anything lately that I haven't had before. It would be weird if symptoms of a food allergy lasted over a week anyway, wouldn't it?

[rebekahc]

When my kids have reactions, the hives can linger for 4-5 days and that's even though they're taking antihistamines and steroids every few hours.  It could also be that you are continuing to ingest whatever it is you're reacting to.  Allergies can develop at any time, so just because you've had something before doesn't mean that you're not allergic to it now.

[spacecanada]

I'll echo what has been said here before.  I was eating potatoes one week and the next week they caused an allergic reaction so bad it had me administering my EpiPen and calling 911.  You'll definitely want to see an allergist, even if a doctor just 'thinks' it could be ingested (food) allergies.  It's best to know one way or the other for sure. 

My hives can last up to 3 or 4 days after an allergic reaction too -- with double dosing Benadryl every day in that time (as prescribed by a doctor, of course.)

I hope you can get some relief soon. 

[kevinb36]

I'll echo what has been said here before.  I was eating potatoes one week and the next week they caused an allergic reaction so bad it had me administering my EpiPen and calling 911.  You'll definitely want to see an allergist, even if a doctor just 'thinks' it could be ingested (food) allergies.  It's best to know one way or the other for sure. 

My hives can last up to 3 or 4 days after an allergic reaction too -- with double dosing Benadryl every day in that time (as prescribed by a doctor, of course.)

I hope you can get some relief soon.

Thanks, yes it has to be something I'm eating (or an infection) as it appears everywhere. I did take Ranitidine for the nausea/indigestion I had a few days before this flared up. It doesn't list a rash as a potential side-effect, though. And if it were that it would have cleared up within a week I would have thought. I'm thinking of cutting all dairy stuff out for a few days since that's such a common one.

[Macabre]

I am thinking this is an infection and not hives--either from food or viral hives. This seems the be something else.

I would see if you can get into a dermo very soon.

[kevinb36]

I am thinking this is an infection and not hives--either from food or viral hives. This seems the be something else.

I would see if you can get into a dermo very soon.

The first doctor who saw me was a dermo (I didn't know it at the time) . Looking into viral hives, the symptoms are all there except the virus. I had a swelling on the back of my head when the hives were there. Perhaps the nausea and feeling of fullness that I had a couple of days before was the start of an infection. I hope it is because at least then I know it will clear up by itself.

Since I only went down there again on Friday I'm going to give it until Wednesday. The doc I saw most recently said tests would be needed if it hadn't cleared up by then. It's a bit better today but I've had these false dawns before. 

Bought some aloe vera cream which someone said worked for them.

[Liv]

Hi how is your condition?  Hope it is getting better for you.  Let me know what was the final diagnosis and what did you do to make it go away.  Unfortunately I am also going through something similar, and the last diagnosis for me is allergy to Carpet Beetle Larvae.  But I am still unsure how to make sure I do not get a reaction to it anymore.  Any advice anyone?

[Macabre]

I've been thinking about you, too.

Last month I had some athlete's foot. It didn't respond to the first antifungal I used, and I had to buy a different one (who knew there were so many different anti-fungal formulations out there?). The second one in ought, I swear--i could feel it activate  on my toes. It improved things right away, whereas the first one did nothing after several days.